Battle Creek Regional Park snow-making efforts to get underway

Earlier this year, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a new $80,000 snow-making project at Battle Creek Regional Park in St. Paul. On Thursday, ski enthusiasts may begin to see the first fruits of those efforts, weather permitting.

Ramsey County Parks officials say equipment was brought in and tested Monday, but the tests were put on hold due to warmer temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday. Temperatures need to drop to 22 degrees or below for snow production to begin. Even then, it make take a few days of snow-making before a portion of the park is fully ready for cross-country skiers.

Snow is being made for a 1-kilometer loop within the Battle Creek West/Winthrop ski trails, a less difficult loop that begins near St. Paul's Battle Creek Recreation Center. The loop is part of a 4-kilometer section of trails that are lit daily until 9 p.m. during the ski season. Parking is available in the lot off Winthrop Street.

Trails will remain open during the snow-making process, but skiers should follow any posted detours. County officials hope the demonstration snow-making project will be a precursor to a larger, $4 million winter recreation area that remains in the planning stages.